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Discussion

Why should I become an rn instead of a pa?

I am at the very beginning of my health care career exploration. I am trying to gain more perspective on the pros and cons of becoming either an rn or a pa and would love to hear from you. I know the basic differences but am trying to understand why people in those careers feel more attracted to one or the other.

If schooling and salaries were equivalent would you choose to be an rn over being a pa? Why? TIA.

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    • Featured Replies

    https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/physician-assistant-vs-290180.html

    https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/pa-vs-rn-153112.html

    https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/deciding-between-rn-507465.html

    The above threads should provide some insight should you not receive many replies to your question. Never hesitate to use the search function on AN as many questions have already been discussed.

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    I always hated compare and contrast questions.

    Only YOU know if a registered nurse position will be better or worse ( for YOU) than a physician assistant role. This is a personal decision.

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    • Author

    Thank you for replying. You are right about it being a personal desicion, but I feel that the perspectives of others helps me to make better choices. I am hoping to know why others have made their personal choice so that any factors I am missing can come to light.

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    One word: Autonomy. It might not mean much to you now, but believe me, it sure as heck will in a few years...when it's too late to go back. Who has it, of those two? Read those threads and you'll find out.

    Get your BSN the most direct way possible, and you'll never regret it.

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    You should be a PA. I've been a nurse for 6 yrs and am in np school because I don't really like being a nurse that much.

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    • Author
    https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/physician-assistant-vs-290180.html

    [COLOR=#0066cc]https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/pa-vs-rn-153112.html

    [COLOR=#0066cc]https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/deciding-between-rn-507465.html

    The above threads should provide some insight should you not receive many replies to your question. Never hesitate to use the search function on AN as many questions have already been discussed.

    Thank you for the links. Those discussions were very helpful. I will try and be better about searching first in the future. :sorry::)

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    • Author
    You should be a PA. I've been a nurse for 6 yrs and am in np school because I don't really like being a nurse that much.

    What didn't you like?

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    I worked on a floor with PAs and two comments I heard from them were that it was harder for PAs to switch specialties and they didn't have the option of going per diem.

    So some expressed jealousy of nurses.

    They did get to assist on c/s and sometimes deliver babies though which is cool (I worked on L&D)

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    • Guides
    You should be a PA. I've been a nurse for 6 yrs and am in np school because I don't really like being a nurse that much.

    You are still a nurse after grad school ;)

    Sent from my iPhone.

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    • Guides
    I am at the very beginning of my health care career exploration. I am trying to gain more perspective on the pros and cons of becoming either an rn or a pa and would love to hear from you. I know the basic differences but am trying to understand why people in those careers feel more attracted to one or the other.

    If schooling and salaries were equivalent would you choose to be an rn over being a pa? Why? TIA.

    The role or RN and the role of the PA are two completely different scopes. If you do a bit of research you will see this.

    Far more often people will compare RN vs MA and PA vs NP.

    Sent from my iPhone.

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    • Experts

    ​I don't know why they would do that; there's no comparison between an RN and an MA.

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    • Guides
    ​I don't know why they would do that; there's no comparison between an RN and an MA.

    The MAs in a primary setting function in a very similar role, at least to the lay public.

    Sent from my iPhone.

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